Imagine a world without cavities. Since 2005, that’s exactly what Jose Cordova of Yale University and Erich Astudillo from the University of Chile have done. Their efforts have netted them the discovery of a molecule that could revolutionize dental care by actively fighting tooth decay. Erlanger dentist Dr. Darlene Henry discusses the discovery and what it could mean for the future of human teeth.
The Basics of Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is almost as common as the cold. In fact, cavities are the number one disease in children. The accolades for this achievement go to the bacteria Streptococcus mutans, or S. mutans, which metabolize refined sugar and turn it into lactic acid. They do not need oxygen, so they favor sneaking into the tight spaces between adjacent teeth and quietly mounting acid attacks against your teeth every time you eat or drink. S. mutans inhabits the oral cavity and contributes to the formation of plaque (bacterial plaque). The only way to effectively protect your teeth from the decay it can cause is to neutralize its acid production. Traditionally, this is done by brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day, attending your six month dental checkup, and refraining from sugary foods and beverages like candy, sweets, fruit juices, and sodas.
Going on the Offensive
In order to reduce the rate of the tooth decay epidemic, Cordova and Astudillo began researching ways to actively fight the formation of decay, instead of just protecting against it. The molecule they’ve discovered, which they’ve named Keep 32 after the number of teeth in a human mouth, actively seeks and kills the S. mutans bacteria. The molecule can be incorporated into products like toothpaste, mouthwash, or candy, and for the first time in human history, can pave the way for cavity-proof teeth. The researchers have several parties interested in investing, and are awaiting trials on humans.
In the meantime, be sure to continue your daily oral hygiene routine, and visit Dr. Henry at least once every six months for a thorough checkup. To learn more about your oral health, or to schedule a consultation, call our Erlanger, Kentucky dentist’s office at (859) 344-8500.
Although July is halfway over, summer is still going strong. With all of the excitement of vacations and beaches and summer celebrations, you may not have had time to invest in your smile as you had hoped. Erlanger, Kentucky cosmetic dentist Dr. Darlene Henry has you covered with a variety of cosmetic dentistry options to help you achieve the perfect smile you’ve dreamed of before the summer’s over.
Teeth Whitening
Your teeth do not require anything dramatic to become stained or slightly discolored. Consuming certain foods and dark-colored beverages, including coffee, tea, wine, and soda, can exacerbate the staining of your teeth. Even the smallest discoloration can throw a perfect smile slightly off. Luckily, tooth whitening is a simple but effective cosmetic dental procedure. With our at-home teeth whiteningsystem, you can apply the treatment in the comfort of your own home and noticeably brighten your smile after just 10-14 days.
Dental Bonding and Contouring
If color is not your issue, but you have a slight imperfection such as a chipped, crooked, or slightly misshapen tooth, Dr. Henry may recommend a dental bonding and/or contouring procedure. Tooth contouring involves gently removing a small amount of tooth enamel in order to change the size and shape of an imperfect tooth. Dental bonding involves using a tooth-colored composite-resin material to cover and reshape an imperfect tooth. Dr. Henry will apply the resin to the tooth, mold it into the ideal shape, and then harden the material under a curing light. Unfortunately, bonding does not respond well to tooth coloring. If you have more than one imperfect tooth, porcelain veneers may be the best option for you.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are the ideal option for rectifying more than one imperfection with the same procedure. Veneers are thin, almost shell like pieces of dental porcelain that are placed over the front face of your teeth. Dr. Henry removes a small amount of enamel from the front of the teeth to be covered, then bonds a custom-made set of veneers over the front. Veneers are more durable than bonding and last longer than whitening. Ask Dr. Henry for proper cleaning and maintenance instructions for you new porcelain veneers.
Summer is no longer young, but you still have time to make your smile young and perfect again. To learn more about your oral health, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Henry, call our Erlanger, Kentucky dentist’s office at (859) 344-8500.
If you suffer from chronic halitosis, you’ve probably tried every remedy in the book, including endless streams of mints and chewing gum. These breath fresheners can mask the odor for a while, but halitosis can usually be treated with an improved oral hygiene routine. Make sure you brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day, and visit your dentist at least every six months to ensure the continued good health of your teeth and mouth. However, if you’ve tried all of this, and your halitosis still persists, there may be another lesser-known cause behind your malodorous breath. Dr. Henry discusses the possibility that your halitosis may be emanating from your lungs.
Bad Breath from Disease and Infection
After a little contemplation, it makes sense that a disease or infection in your lungs would cause your breath to smell a bit foul. After all, your breath originates in your lungs before it ever even reaches your mouth. Diseases including lung cancer, asthma, and cystic fibrosis, among others, can taint your breath with distinctive odors that can actually be utilized in early detection. Since we exhale the carbon dioxide that our blood carries to our lungs, diseases that affect the blood can have a similar effect on your breath as lung diseases (i.e., diabetes, kidney and liver disorders, etc). Unfortunately, there is no treatment for bad breath caused by disease. Treating the disease should suffice to rid you of its symptoms.
Foul Breath from Bad Habits
Smoking and drinking are not only bad for your oral and overall health; they’re bad for your breath as well. Aside from the obvious negative effects on your mouth that can cause your breath to be foul, smoking causes carcinogens to accumulate in your lungs (smokers’ lungs). If you are a smoker, at some point you’ve hacked up a mass of darkly-colored phlegm. That phlegm covers your entire lungs, and it stinks. The obvious and only solution is to quit smoking. Contrary to popular belief, alcohol breath originates in the lungs as well, not the mouth. Alcohol enters your bloodstream and its odor is released when you exhale, which is why mints and chewing gum will rarely fool a breathalyzer test. Time will rectify this cause of bad breath as the alcohol content is purged from your blood.
To learn more about your oral health, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Henry, call our Erlanger, Kentucky dentist’s office at (859) 344-8500.
We’ve been told for most of our lives to brush our teeth twice a day, floss at least once, and visit the dentist every six months for a checkup. If you’ve heeded this advice, chances are your dentist tells you what a great job you’ve been doing taking care of your mouth and teeth. A few lucky people may never need any dental work done. That does not mean, however, that the dental checkup is unnecessary. Dr. Darlene Henry explains the importance of your dental checkup and why you shouldn’t ignore it.
Maintaining your Oral Health
Brushing and flossing removes bacteria and plaque from your teeth and gums before they have a chance to cause damage. Unfortunately, plaque clings to every surface of the tooth, including below the gum line. While you may pay careful attention to brushing every surface and flossing in between every tooth, nobody is perfect, and you may miss some spots or simply be unable to reach them. When plaque remains for more than 48 hours, it calcifies (hardens) into tartar. Unlike plaque, tartar cannot be removed by simply brushing, flossing, or rinsing. Our hygienist will conduct a thorough, professional cleaning to remove all traces of tartar, especially along the gum line, to prevent the formation of gum disease. If tartar is not caught and removed during your checkup and cleaning, you may not know that you’re at risk until your gums exhibit signs, at which point gingivitis has already set in, and gum disease isn’t far behind.
Early Detection at Your Kentucky Dental Checkup
Aside from gum disease, your mouth can tell you a lot about what’s going on in your body as well. Early signs of many systemic diseases, including oral cancer, first appear as lesions in the mouth or other oral troubles. As with all oral and overall health issues, early detection can be the defining factor in successful treatment. To learn more about maintaining and optimizing your oral health, or to schedule a consultation, checkup, or cleaning, call our Erlanger, Kentucky dentist’s office at (859) 344-8500.
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